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PS4 Review: Deception IV The Nightmare Princess

Deception IV: The Nightmare Princess is a PS4 port of last year’s original release, Deception IV: Blood Ties. The devil has been sealed away by twelve holy heroes. It’s up to the devil’s daughter, Laegrinna, and her demonic minions to save her father and defeat any knight trying to invade her castle. The narrative is told in-between levels with quick dialogue boxes. It’s honestly a good premise that just doesn’t go anywhere.

Which is fine because the gameplay is what makes the Deception series unique. The goal is to set up traps, like falling boulders, buzz saws, and explosions, in order to kill intruders. It’s like a more sadistic version of Mousetrap. Laegrinna can also be equipped with abilities like a dodge, or freeze ray to stun enemies, but she’s weak otherwise. It’s up to players to lead enemies into traps in order to execute a quick death. Making a killer trap can be satisfying, but running around can get dull and the game basically shows all of its cards in the first hour, or two.

Even with the added modes of the port, it’s still the same thing only with a few tweaks. There’s nothing wrong with that, but this is a game meant for quick bursts rather than long sessions on the couch due to this repetition. And as far as visuals go, there’s nothing striking about it along with the music. Again, Deception IV is a cool concept muddied by an unambitious and quick execution.

Deception IV: The Nightmare Princess is a decent port, offering a bounty of new items for veterans of the first launch. To those that missed it originally it’s definitely worth a look in that it can offer a few good hours of entertainment. Just know that what one gets in the beginning, is what’s awaiting hours and hours later.

Score: 3/5 Stars

Special Notes: The publisher provided a review copy. This article was originally published on July 20, 2015 via my Examiner account before the website shut down. Check out the supporting video review on the accompanying YouTube Channel, ReActionExaminer.